The Vikings were the most ferocious warriors of the Middle Ages. Especially fearsome were the select few who wielded a formidable weapon: a light, razor sharp, virtually indestructible sword with its maker's name, ULFBERHT, inlaid along the blade. But who Ulfberht was, where the sword came from, and how it was made remained secrets for more than 1,000 years?

Ric Furrer is that rare person, a living historian, who keeps a thousand-year-old craft alive using thousand-year-old methods. His craft is blacksmithing. He makes swords.

He was challenged to recreate the finest of the swords used by the Northmen, better known here as Vikings. Their finest swords were inscribed with the word +Ulfberh+t, and were made from crucible steel that was so pure it was almost a thousand years ahead of its time.

In addition to following Furrer's painstaking recreation of this lethal masterpiece, the DVD contains information about, and well reenacted scenes of, Viking combat. It is also speculated that the original crucible steel to make the blades came from northern Iran. How did it make its way from there to Scandinavia? The DVD tells us.

I'm a history teacher, and found the entire DVD fascinating. I am also full of admiration for Mr. Furrer.

I loved this dvd. It is very well presented and researched. I especially enjoyed watching a Master craftsman make one, and explain each part of the process. It is amazing to know that this weapon was created under, what we consider, much more primitive conditions than a modern forge. Please keep these kinds of programs coming. They are terrific!